A Cast of Shadows: An Araneae Nation Story by Hailey Edwards Read Free Book Online Page B

through Brynmor’s shoulders as he lowered Karenna’s body to the ground with help from Daraja. Her touch whispered over his skin when she wiped hairs from his eyes. It took effort for him to resist leaning into her and encouraging her caress. Living among the pack must have rubbed off on him if he was eager to belly-up to Daraja to beg for scraps of affection.
    Brynmor rubbed his neck. He could hear Errol now. You have her scent in your nose.
    Warning Daraja off had failed. The easy trust she inspired pried the scabs from old wounds, and they bled freely, but talking to her made him more at peace than he had been in a long time.
    Her quick laughter eased the burden of his conscience.
    “I think my feet would hurt less if I carried my boots to camp.” Daraja flexed her toes.
    He found himself staring at them, then up her bare calves. Soaked fabric clung to her curves. Tendrils of midnight hair had come undone and now curled at her nape. His fingers itched to twist those strands around them. He longed to claim her mouth, taste her skin, draw her scent into his lungs and trap it there to savor in the endless days ahead of him, after she had gone on her way and he was alone again. Daraja was vibrant, alive, and he craved that taste of mortality.
    “Are we going to leave her here?” she asked.
    Cupping her chin, Brynmor angled Daraja’s face toward him then smoothed his thumbs over the dark skin beneath her eyes. “You’re exhausted. How long has it been since you slept?”
    “I’m fine.” She stepped out of his reach. “What about Karenna?”
    “I’ll bring Errol and the others. We can take care of Karenna.” He advanced on her until she hit a large rock covered by vines creeping from the forest. Grasping her hips, he lifted her, set her on the highest point and turned his back on her. “Climb on. I’ll take you to the den so you can rest.”
    Expecting her to hesitate, he grunted when Daraja nimbly leapt on his back and wrapped her legs around his hips. He clasped her ankles at his navel, then used the rock for balance while she squirmed into position. While reminding himself to breathe for show, he thought if he needed air to survive, her chokehold would have crushed the life from him. He coughed and she patted him.
    “It’s been ages since someone carried me.” Her arms slid down to lock around his shoulders.
    He twisted to face her. “I’m surprised you accepted my offer.”
    “I’m not a fool. My feet hurt.” She squeezed his arm. “And you have plenty of muscle to get me where we’re going. Do you think you could hand me my boots? I’d rather not leave them.”
    Gingerly, he scooped them up and passed them to her. “Will there be anything else?”
    Her breathy laugh made him smile. “I’ll let you know if I think of something.”
    “You do that.” He wished he could do more for Karenna, but he couldn’t without proper tools. She had been rescued from the river. She could wait a while longer to be laid to rest.
    Scent trails crisscrossed this section of forest, and Brynmor had no trouble finding a familiar path. He readjusted Daraja, and her nails pierced his skin, drawing a sharp hiss from him.
    “Are your heels hurting?” She leaned forward, peeking over his shoulder. “Should we—?”
    “It’s nothing I can’t handle.” He had no intention of setting her down until he was forced to.
    “Did you hear that?” Daraja tugged on his collar.
    His ears weren’t as keen as hers. He exhaled until his lungs emptied, then drew in a gulp of night air. Neglecting his senses had cost him before. If he wasn’t breathing, he was a scent-blind target. He shook his head. Daraja’s company was more than pleasant. She heightened his senses, made him remember what it was to live. “I smell charred herbs.” He sneezed. “Burnt grass too.”
    Daraja kept her voice low. “Do you think it’s the hunters?”
    “It could be,” he was loath to admit. “There are other animals in these woods